Rural road in Baglung. File photo
Due to the absence of blacktopping on the 10-kilometer Kusmiserā–Rāṅkhānī road section, thousands of residents of South Baglung have been facing difficulties. Although the construction company took charge in October 2019, only 78 percent of the work has been completed so far, with the deadline extended five times. The Gandaki Province government, funding the project at a cost of NPR 245.8 million, has seen work stalled as the company cites price hikes as a reason for the delay.
April 23, Dhorpatan (Baglung) – The Kusmiserā–Bareng–Shantipur road is an important route in South Baglung. Due to the first section of the road lacking a blacktopped surface, thousands of locals continue to endure hardships. The 10-kilometer stretch from Kusmiserā to Rāṅkhānī remains unpaved largely due to delays by the construction company. Assigned on October 10, 2019, Sharma/Caravan JV was given two years to complete the blacktopping, but it remains unfinished, causing significant problems for travelers and freight transport.
The blacktopping was supposed to be completed by October 2021, but only 78 percent of the work has been done. The Gandaki Province government initiated the blacktopping project with a budget of NPR 245.8 million. According to Engineer Prakash Shris from the Infrastructure Development Office in Baglung, the construction company has shown little enthusiasm to progress since the start and recently halted the work, citing cost increases as their excuse.
Despite pressure to complete the project, the company has defied orders, preventing progress. “The company has already had five extensions. The last deadline expired on March 17. Currently, discussions are underway regarding whether to extend the deadline again or terminate the contract. However, the company has already received payments for the work done so far,” Engineer Shris stated. He added, “We have urged the company numerous times to complete the work, but the company has ignored these requests. The work should have been finished five years ago, but now they claim inflation is the reason for delays.”
Meanwhile, the Rāṅkhānī–Bareng section of the road was blacktopped two years ago. However, the construction company had been out of contact for a long time. Bhaktabahadur Thapa of Gemini Municipality-10, Rāṅkhānī, expressed his dissatisfaction: “Seven years have passed hoping the road would be blacktopped. Vehicles pass daily on the village road, but in winter dust gets everywhere and during the rainy season, mud enters homes.” According to Thapa, “It’s been many years since the road was promised to be paved, but it remains as it is. Dust in winter covers even the kitchen, and potholes during rainy season spill into fields causing problems. There’s no clear solution in sight.” Local resident Pushpa Shris added that the dilapidated road condition causes serious difficulties for transporting materials and traveling. Drivers reportedly charge higher fares over short distances, using the poor road condition as an excuse.
